The world record finals run of the Perth Wildcats is under threat, but milestone man Jesse Wagstaff is confident the team can regain its mojo and challenge for this season's NBL title.
The Wildcats are aiming to secure a 33rd straight finals appearance - a record that hasn't been matched by any other professional sporting organisation around the world.
Another finals berth looked to be a mere formality when the Wildcats won 10 of their first 11 games this season.
But seven losses in their past nine matches have put the Wildcats' finals hopes on edge.
Perth currently sit in third spot with a 12-8 record.
But fourth-placed Brisbane (11-9) and fifth-placed Adelaide (10-10) are still a chance to leapfrog Trevor Gleeson's men.
The Wildcats face a tough end to the season, with two clashes each against title rivals Sydney and Melbourne United among the final eight games.
Perth also face Adelaide three times - fixtures that are crucial to the finals fate of both sides.
The first of those fixtures is on Thursday night, when the Wildcats take on the 36ers in Adelaide.
The Wildcats have already ruled out recruiting a third import despite their flagging form, with Gleeson backing the squad he has at his current disposal.
Wagstaff, a four-time title winner with the Wildcats, will notch his 300-game milestone against Adelaide on Thursday night.
The 32-year-old is adamant the Wildcats aren't a spent force, despite last Friday's shock 81-79 home loss to last-placed Cairns.
"Every team goes through adversity. We had some injury struggles early on, and now we've had a little slump," Wagstaff said.
"But you look back through all the years, I think our second last championship (in 2016) - we were last after Christmas.
"We were eighth on the ladder and ended up winning it."
Wagstaff didn't put up a shot in his 12 minutes of action against Cairns.
Star import Bryce Cotton was nursing a minor ankle niggle at training on Monday, but Wagstaff was confident the American would be fit to face Adelaide.
PERTH WILDCATS' RUN HOME
v Adelaide (away)
v Melbourne (home)
v Adelaide (home)
v Sydney (away)
v Illawarra (home)
v Sydney (home)
v Adelaide (home)
v Melbourne (away)
